Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Will she understand? Will she forgive me?
A cold shiver ran up my spine.
There was no turning back now.
Whatever lay on the other side of that door would change everything. For better or worse, I was about to come face to face with a past I had left behind and a future that was yet to be written.
But there was no answer.
No footsteps.
No voice calling out.
Just the silence, growing thicker with each passing second.
Maybe, she didn’t come back while the doorman was out for lunch. Perhaps, she was still at the church helping wrap presents.
Relief poured over me.
You’re such a coward.
With a soft sigh, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small pocketknife, a tool that had served me in many situations.
It felt like a betrayal, breaking into Zuri’s home, but I needed to see her place. I couldn’t leave without getting some answers.
Making sure the hallway was still empty, I carefully inserted the knife into the lock, and felt for the tumblers.
The lock yielded easily.
I slipped inside.
The door closed behind me with a soft click.
The moment I crossed the threshold, a rush of emotions flooded over me. The condo was steeped in silence, mirroring my own anxious state. The faint scent of vanilla and lavender lingered in the air.
I stood there, momentarily frozen, taking in the surroundings. The living room was tastefully decorated, a blend of modern elegance and comfort.
Photographs adorned the walls, capturing moments of laughter and joy. My eyes scanned each one, looking for any sign of Zuri or the daughter I had never met. But the faces in the photos were all her family, smiling back at me.
Meanwhile, the condo was stunning, filled with beautiful artwork, elegant furniture, and a sense of taste and sophistication.
Zuri had done well for herself; that much was clear.
As I walked into the living room, my eyes were immediately drawn to the Christmas tree that stood in the corner of the condo. It was a lush and vibrant symbol of the season, adorned with twinkling lights, sparkling ornaments of her favorite color rose gold, and tinsel that shimmered in the soft glow of the room.
But more than the decorations, it was the presents under the tree that caught my eye. They were meticulously wrapped in colorful paper, adorned with bows and ribbons, each one bearing a tag with our daughter’s name.
I went over and knelt down, examining them, realizing the depth of Zuri’s efforts to provide a joyful and loving life for our child.
I’ve got so much to make up to the both of them.
I considered the countless hours she must have spent shopping, wrapping, and planning, all to ensure that our daughter would have a magical holiday experience. And beyond the physical gifts, I knew that Zuri had also been providing the intangible gifts of love, stability, and nurturing, filling the void left by my absence.
I can’t imagine how you did all of this by yourself.
A wave of emotions washed over me—gratitude, guilt, admiration, and a renewed determination to make things right. I knew that I had a lot of ground to cover, a lot of trust to rebuild, but I was committed to doing whatever it took to be the father and partner that they both deserved.
But has she moved on? Will there be a male obstacle in the way, not wanting my return? Does Carmen see someone else as her daddy?
I shuddered in fear.
Further inside, my gaze was immediately drawn to the kitchen counter where a vase of a dozen red roses stood.
Hmmm.
I walked over to them.
The rich, deep color of the petals seemed almost too vibrant.
My heart pounded in my chest.
With a mix of curiosity and dread, I approached the counter. The roses were perfectly arranged, each bloom at the peak of its beauty, and amidst them lay a small card.
The card was a simple, elegant piece of paper.
I hesitated for a moment before picking it up. The card was delicately scented, and as I opened it. Words greeted me in neat, unfamiliar handwriting.
I know you have a busy week.
I just hope these roses will brighten your day.
Alonzo
Those words hit me like a physical blow, igniting a firestorm of jealousy and rage within me. My mind raced with the implications of this romantic gesture from another man.
Who is he? I’m going to fucking kill him.
But amidst the tumult of emotions, a sense of self-control prevailed. I couldn’t let anger cloud my judgment or lead me into rash actions.
Wait. Not yet. You told her to move on.
With a deep, steadying breath, I carefully replaced the card exactly as I had found it, ensuring that not a petal was disturbed.
But now he will have to move on. I want Zuri back, and I must be in Carmen’s life.
I stepped away, the reality of the situation sank in. Zuri had moved on, or at least, someone was trying to be a part of her life in a way I had not been able.